Pest Control Services

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Ants

Pest

Ants

Description

Small black ants are commonly seen on paths, patios and more annoyingly in the house. They frequently leave small amounts of fine soil and sand at entrances to their nests and particularly in warm weather they can be seen traveling from their nests to scources of food.

Cause of infestation

Ants may nest in the soil under paving stones and sometimes in the foundations of a house. Foraging worker ants may appear from cracks and crevices that are inevitable at most skirting edges.

Once a food substance has been found (often sweet), then large numbers of workers may appear. If a hatch of winged queens and males happen mistakenly to follow this exit route from the nest, large numbers of winged insects appear very rapidly in living accommodation as they try to find a way out to the open air.

Self Treatment

The light application of a crawling insect aerosol spray along affected skirting edges only, will kill foraging workers. This is best applied in a continuous sweeping motion to wet the skirting edge at several inches depth. If done last thing at night you will avoid breathing in any aerosol vapours in a freshly treated room.

If using crawling insect powder, put a very small amount along the skirting edges and brush it with an old paintbrush to give a very thin uniform layer that should be barely visible. Dust containing Bendiocarb is very effective.

The use of poisoned sugar bait is effective in destroying nests, but not if used with dusts or sprays. The idea is that as many worker ants as possible, take as much bait as possible in as short a time as possible back to the nest. Killing foraging workers with dusts and sprays makes this unlikely to happen. Ideally, attract as many workers as possible to a prebait of syrup, jam, honey etc. on a small piece of card. When large numbers have been attracted, swap the prebait for the poisoned bait. This treatment takes longer but is more likely to destroy the nest.

The easiest way to treat an indoor swarm of flying ants is to open the windows and allow them to escape. Flying insect aerosols will kill them, but will entail a clean up operation. Hoovering up the emerging insects is effective but condemns them to a prolonged demise in the dust bag!

Does the Council offer a Pest Control Service?

Yes

Does the price include a revisit?

Yes

When should I expect a revisit?

7 days after 1st treatment if required

Customer action before appointment date

Ensure people and pets are removed from areas to be treated. Ensure good housekeeping. Clear all previous products customer may have used for self treatment.

Treatment Process

Indoors: Water based insecticide spray and or gel bait.

Outdoors: Around curtilage of property water based insecticide spray and or gel bait. Safety Data Sheet issued to customer by PCO at time of appointment.

Approximately how long will treatment take?

Between 20-60 mins

Customer action after appointment

Ensure people and pets are kept away from immediate treated area until product dries (approx. 20-60 mins). If problem persists contact Council to arrange retreatment if required.